The Equestrian Community Integrity Unit has dismissed Yvonne Losos de Muniz' complaint filed in the aftermath of the controversial 2012 Olympic selection process, which led to Luiza Tavares going to the Olympics and Losos de Muniz failing in her appeal with CAS.
In a public statement issued on 24 October 2012 Losos de Muniz complained about the improper conduct of the FEI in handling the case in front of CAS. Losos stated at the time that, "I was repeatedly portrayed by the FEI in a manner which totally contradicts my values as a professional athlete with regards to fair play, sportsmanship, training and riding. My motives for filing the protest were characterized by Mrs. Lazarus as those of a sore loser and improviser. My personal life and my decision to train and compete in the USA, as do many other international riders in that country or in Europe, was examined and questioned to the point of promoting ridiculous, unfounded allegations."
The International Dressage Riders Club supported an investigation from the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit, which has now dismissed the case. The FEI Equestrian Community Integrity Unit (ECIU), founded in 2010, has been established "to monitor corruption, identify offenders and conflicts of interest, as well as safeguard horse welfare."
Yvonne Losos de Muniz today released the following statement:
I have been informed by the Equestrian Community Integrity Unit that they have dismissed the complaint that was filed by me with regards to the treatment I have been subjected to by the FEI during my Olympic classification appeal. The ECIU indicates that there is no evidence to support my claims.
I fail to understand the ECIU´s conclusion, taking into account the testimony given to the ECIU by witnesses that were present at all hearings, such as our national federation president. While I accept the report as is, I do not accept its findings and stand firmly by my allegations. Perhaps I was not physically or verbally abused per se, but I was certainly threatened, disrespected and diminished as a rider by certain elements of the FEI. Among other things, I was told in no uncertain terms that if my appeal succeeded the FEI would consider protesting my own results-that is a matter of record.
Following the receipt of the communication of the ECIU, which was labeled “Strictly Private and Confidential”, to my surprise I was contacted yesterday by the FEI Press Department, looking for me to participate in a joint press release concerning the findings. In this message there was a suggested statement for me, indicating that I accept the conclusions and look forward to leaving this issue behind me. While I appreciate the FEI´s efforts, I do not accept the findings of the report. I have indeed placed the issue behind me, as I have retired from international competition a long time ago.
My decision to retire has been reinforced by the latest changes in Olympic qualification being pushed forward by the FEI. As of now, there is even less opportunities for dressage riders from small nations to achieve their Olympic goals. Unless a country has the depth to field an entire Grand Prix team, it is basically out of the running for an Olympic spot. It is extremely unfortunate for the region, as this goes directly against the attempts to bring up the levels in the region. Why would a rider from our countries even make the effort to secure a Gran Prix mount and compete at that level, when all the extra spots have gone to nations that can field teams? It is also very disappointing to see that North and South American members of the FEI have failed to defend the interests of our regions´ riders once again.
Photo © Risto Aaltonen
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